MADRID — Rafa Nadal slumped to one of his worst defeats in a clay final on Sunday but said his week in Madrid had been positive despite losing his Masters crown to Andy Murray in a crushing 6-3 6-2 reverse.
The French Open champion, who will seek a record-extending 10th Roland Garros crown starting at the end of the month, has been struggling for consistency since returning from the injury and illness that dogged his 2014 season.
He suffered a surprise reverse to Italian Fabio Fognini in the third round in Barcelona last month but has looked close to his best on occasion this week, including an imperious victory over Czech Tomas Berdych in the semi-finals.